About Me

This is my eleventh year as a library media specialist at Norton High School. Prior to that I taught science for five years at Southeastern Regional, but started my post-college life doing chromosome analysis in the cytogenetics lab at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. When I'm not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys.

20 comments:

To start off, this is my second time reading The Kite Runner so I already know what happens. So not to give anything away, I like Hassan a little bit more than I do Amir. There are some things about Amir that I don't like, for example when he asks Hassan if he would eat dirt for him. I feel that sometimes he takes advantage of Hassan and which is not right because Hassan really envies him.

Part of me wants to feel bad for Amir and think that its okay for him to bully Hassan because its the way he takes his anger out of his father not giving him the attention he needs, but that's not a good enough reason. Hassan is so nice to Amir and would do anything for him and I think that Amir should recginize that. I also don't agree with Amir and what he is going to do (or not do) in the next few chapters...

My perception of Amir is a negative one due to multiple reasons. Amir comes off as selfish and stingy because he often belittles Hassan and lies to Baba in order to obtain all his attention for himeself. Amir also appears mean because he calls Hassan's dream stupid. When Hassan asks what his dream means, Amir responds with "well, its a dumb dream. Nothing happens in it" (Hosseini 60). This demonstrates how Amir lacks respect for Hassan and his thoughts. Amir is also a bad person because he doesn't stick up for him during the incident in the alley. It shows Amir's true character that it takes the alley incident to change his feelings towards Hassan. Amir appears to be a negative character, but I feel this will change as the novel progresses.

Although some of the choices Amir makes, such as taunting Hassan, and not helping him retaliate against Assef, are unwise, it is hard not to feel any sympathy for Amir.

Amir's father sees him as "a boy who won't stand up for himself" (22). His disappointment in Amir has caused his son to become insecure...to the point where Amir believes that he cannot do anything right, or thinks he will mess it all up if he does.

So yes, Amir should have helped Hassan; he should have done this; he should not have done that...But when one has a father who is concerned with someone who is not even his own son more than his own son, it is easy to see where Amir is coming from. Constantly, Amir feels envious of Hassan's relationship with Amir's father: "I wished I too had some kind of scar that would beget Baba's sympathy" (46). Amir only wants to please his father, but no matter how many stories he writes, how many contests he wins, always, Amir feels as if his father hates him, wants him dead. Besides, "...[don't] all fathers...harbor a desire to kill their sons?" (29).

I havent read the book before and I just want to say that I really enjoy it, even though it makes me want to punch Amir in the face.

I do not like Amir; he has a really messed up thought process. I dont understand how you can watch(hear) the closest person to you be raped and have the audacity of excusing it and faking never seeing it to begin with. Thats ridiculous. When he sets up Hasssan by putting the money and watch in his bed, Hassan agrees to stealing it. This amazed me, but the reaction of Amir shocked me even more. I thought he should of gave in and came out with the truth. Amir is an odd fella and I do not like how he treats Hassan because of his desire for his fathers love. Just because his father may not like what he does not mean that it is Hassan's fault.

I think what Amir did to Hassan was cruel. Hassan had saved him before when they were in the field, and yet he just could not seem to bring himself to save Hassan. Because of this, it is clear that Amir does not see Hassan as a friend at all. He is merely someone he hangs out with when there is no one else.

I have to admit I was somewhat surprised he didn't help Hassan, and then I also was not surprised. I knew that he said Hassan was not really his friend, but I thought he would have at least saved him from the same bullies Hassan had saved him from. I also was not surprised by the way he would talk about Hassan. As I mentioned before, he did'nt really consider Hassan a friend, so why would he have helped him out? I just thought maybe he would have because Hassan would go to any lengths for him. He ran to get the blue kite for him, for example.

I don't like Amir at all after reading these chapters. From the start he was never a good friend to Hassan. Hassan was always the one to stick up for Amir and Amir repaid him by playing tricks on him. Although his pranks were harmless they were uncalled for. In chapter seven when Amir just watches Hassan get beat up by the other boys over the kite it shows that Amir is a terrible friend. Hassan could have walked away from the fight without a scratch if he gave the blue kite up to the bully but he refused to do so because it was for Amir, and Amir just stands by and closes his eyes as Hassan gets hit.

When I read Michelle's comment I hadn't read up to where we were supposed to for homework yet and she made me want to hurry up and do that. I definately agree with Michelle. I like Hassan a lot better than Amir. I feel so bad for him. Amir was a jerk and even though he says that he and Hassan aren't really friends, I don't know how anyone could do what he did. Maybe he was scared? I don't know. I'm a bit frustrated at the moment...

So far reading the book, I do not like Amir as much as I do Hussan. Amir treats Hussan like dirt, even though Hussan would do anything for Amir. Hussan envies Amir, but I don't think its for being rich, more because Amir gets to go to school and can read and write. Amir rubs it in Hussan's face, kind of, by telling him the wrong deffination or says "you don't know what that word means, its just a common word". I think Amir belittles Hussan because Hussan is like the only person he has power over.

But there are times when I feel bad for Amir. He wants his father so much to show him affection, that Amir will do anything for it. Like letting Hussan fighting his battles for him.

I read ahead and mentioned some of my own views in class (Amir's not really a bad kid, but he's a kid and he does horrible mean stupid kid things and he doesn't really understand how to make a relationship work), but I think they're both flawed characters. I'm not saying Hassan is 'asking for it' or responsible for his treatment, but since Amir's never getting any tangible negative consequences for his behavior, of course he's not going to change. There are a lot of comparisons to the sacrificial lamb in the book, which I think is the perfect metaphor; Hassan just has no instinct or inclination to stand up for himself or even contradict Amir. That kind of subservience doesn't create a very good relationship. I think Amir and Hassan could be real, actual friends if not for the constant element of power imbalance that hobbles them.

At the beginning of the novel, I felt sorry for Amir. I could tell he struggled with jealousy towards Hassan, because Hassan's father cares for him deeply, and would do anything for him. Amir's father however, struggles with understanding Amir and therefore he doesn't support Amir emotionally and give him the attention that he craves. My feelings toward Amir changed, when I realized how much of a coward he is. He clearly does not value Hassan as much as Hassan values him, he takes him for granted. I was extremely disappointed to read that Amir just stood and watched Hassan get brutally beaten and raped. I know that deep inside Amir has a good heart, and would want to protect his friend, but he is not confident enough in himself as a person to stick up for someone of a lower class.

I think Amir is not a very bad person, but he could be better. I didnt like how he watched Hassan get raped and didnt say anything or try to stop it. It is a coward and i dont like that. I wish he would stick up for himself and others. he needs to be a better friend, person. I liked him before all of this happened. He needs to find himself. Overall, hes ok, but im not that fond of him.

I think Amir is a selfish and disrespectful boy.What he did was rude and heartless. The fact that Hassan is his best friend and he treats like that is disgusting. Amir should be ashamed to call himself a boy or a friend. he does not deserve hassans friendshit and yet he takes advatage of his loyalty and betrays him. I dont like Amir at all._krista

Amir is an inconsiderate, selfish and spoiled child. He does not understand the importance of courage or honor. People always forgive him for the bad things he has done, such as the way his teachers dont punish him for talking, because of his powerful father. Because of that, he has not learned the consequences of his actions. He should have stuck up for Hassan during the assault, but didnt because he is a coward. he should have told someone what he did and how he saw what happened to Hassan, but he is a coward. He should have befriended Hassan again, but he is a coward. He should have stopped Hassan and Ali from leaving, but, yet again, he is a coward. "When the neighbor hood boys tease him[Amir]... Hassan steps in and fends them off," and is never repayed by his unloyal master.

Ps: I had a track meet today and got dismissed at 1:30 from school, so i did not have any time to do this earlier. I am just getting home, and writing this now.

I personally like Hassan more than Admir because i do not like people who take adavantage of others, especially when they are rude about it. For example when he asks Hassan to eat dirt, i think that is so rude and ignorant. Especially if he is looking up to Admir. Even though Amirs life is not easy due to his father it is not right for him to take it out on others.

I believe that Amir is a disloyal friend, at this point in the novel. I also see him as a selfish coward. Amir is disloyal because he did nothing when he saw Assef rape Hassan, while Hassan willingly sacrifices himself for Amir.

I see Amir as a coward too because he is too scared to defend his "friend". Amir's fear of Assef, in his opinion, outweighs his courage to save Hassan. This again shows contrast in Hassan's and his behavior because Hassan regularly defends Amir.

Amir can also be seen as selfish in this chapter because of his desire for the attention and praise of Baba. Amir wanted to please Baba so badly that he selfishly was willing to sacrifice Hassan as the price he'd have to pay to gain Baba's acceptance. Again, Hassan shows no sign of being selfish as he lives only to please and serve Amir.

It is hard for me to judge Amir at a single point in the novel because I have already seen what he becomes—for this is my third time reading the Kite Runner. However, when I first read these initial chapters, I loathed and hated Amir for his disloyalty to such a loving and devoted friend, brother and servant.

I have many strong feelings against the character Amir after reading the chapters. I believe that he has many flaws in his personality. One of the flaws that he has is ability to take things for granted. Amir does not truly understand how loyal Hassan is to him and one day Hassan might not be there for him anymore and Amir will find himself alone. Another reason why I highly dislike Amir is that he is a horrible friend and coward. While Hassan found himself being beaten by some other boys, Amir just stood and watched Hassan take the abuse. Amir should have stepped in and helped out his friend but instead he just stood and watched him.

Personally, right now, I do not like Amir. I think that even though he does not get the attention from his father that he deserves, he still has no right to treat Hassan the way that he does. When Hassan asks Amir what a certain word means, Amir lies to him and ends up using it in a sentence which is really demeaning to Hassan. Hassan is led to believe that Amir is being nice to him, when really it is the exact opposite. Also, Hassan devotes his life to making sure that Amir is happy and has everything that he needs without even thinking about his own happiness. Amir, on the other hand, does not care as much about Hassan because he believes that his father likes Hassan better than him. Amir's jealousy is what makes him act the way that he does towards Hassan. At one point, Amir asks Hassan if he would eat dirt to prove how loyal he is to him. A true friend would never make someone eat dirt to prove lo yalty, a friend should be trusted no matter what. Ashlie

I don't not like Amir but i definately like Hassan better than Amir. Amir does not have confidence in himself to stand up for himself or Hassan when Hassan stands up for Amir all the time. I partly feel bad for Amir because h doesnt have a strong support system from his father. Also, i feel as though he bullies Hassan because h is jealous of Hassan's relationship with Baba. I do not agree with Amir's decisions, however, i understand why he makes some of them.

My opinion of Amir is that he is a weak person, mentally and emotionally. Continuously he shows how he wants to impress his father, so that his father likes him, or feels more of a connection to him. I feel like the fact that Amir is looking for recognition fromh is father, is the makings of a weak man, he doesnt depend on his own strength and mind and opinions, but on those of his father. Also in his friendship towards Hassan, he is mean to him. Amir is mean to the only person who understands him and encourages him, Hassan has continued to prove his loyalty to Amir as a friend and at times Amir is jealous of Hassan and often does mean things to him.

In my opinion i dont like Amir that much at all, i think that he needs to grow up a little bit more, not in the sense of being mature or growing up to be a man per say, but that he needs to look around and realize life, and that he cant depend on other peoples opinions to be happy in life, i also think that the fact that he gets kicks out of being mean to Hassan just shows the kind of boy he already is.